Spray On / Rinse Off cleaner and degreaser.

[CalG]

I use GUNK concentrate. Cut 10:1 with kerosene. The stuff really works.
It makes soap out of grease and oil, then hoses off. DO NOT APPLY TO WET SURFACES. It doesn't work that way.

 

[1Mech]

If you are doing smaller areas, oven cleaner also works.

 

[RjCorazza]

My vote is for Gunk degreaser for heavily soiled grease, and Oil Eater for routine degreasing / cleaning.

 

[hayden]

My vote is for Gunk degreaser for heavily soiled grease, and Oil Eater for routine degreasing / cleaning.

Last time I used Gunk the instructions said it was important to warm up the engine first so it was working on a warm surface. That did seem to matter. Is that still the case? I haven't used it in a while.

 

[RjCorazza]

Last time I used Gunk the instructions said it was important to warm up the engine first so it was working on a warm surface. That did seem to matter. Is that still the case? I haven't used it in a while.

I don't do that, mostly because my degreasing is done on a frequent basis before it gets too bad. I'm sure it works better on a warmed (never hot!) engine.

 

[Jstpssng]

If you are doing smaller areas, oven cleaner also works.

You just have to be careful what you spray it on. I've known people to use it on chainsaws and it corroded the block

 

[Captain Dirty]

It has been my experience after decades of washing cars, house siding, motors, and other objects that a water rinse, even from a 1500 psi pressure washer, leaves a residue after the water dries, but physical disturbance by a brush or even a rag while the surface is wet and before the final rinse removes that residue. I would describe the effort as brushing rather than scrubbing although scrubbing may be necessary. If the OP has globs of dust caked grease, a quick scraping with a putty knife may be more effective and less total effort than multiple washings.

 

[newbury]

If the OP has globs of dust caked grease

That!
So what we really need are pictures.
So OP - show us some dirty pictures!

For equipment I like to use old clean diesel. For inside I've been using Zep orange degreaser, mainly because I got a 5 gallon pail for half price years ago.

 

[paulsharvey]

Hot water pressure washer?

 

[Jrasband]

I was very impressed with purple power recently.